Abiding
Any good work that is of lasting, eternal worth flows naturally out of a relationship with God. Our tendency as men is to grit our teeth and exert our willpower. We wrestle with ourselves toiling to do right, when our focus should not be on doing but on being; not struggling, but abiding. The problem with willpower is it doesn't work. Fruit is never the product of willpower. It's a result of abiding in the Vine. Galatians 5:22 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…NKV." Isn't that what we all want? It comes as a result of being with Jesus.
In the parable of the Sower, Jesus said he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the Word and understands it, and bears fruit (Matthew 13:23). Let your efforts be directed to hearing the Word of God and then allowing the Holy Spirit guide you to understand it. Then, in relationship with Him, as you abide, the seeds of His Word will grow and produce fruit-lasting, eternal fruit.
This devotional is an excerpt from Ignite Your Faith by Dr. Tim Clinton & Max Davis, available at https://www.aacc.net/product/ignite-your-faith/.
